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A bread conveying apparatus comprising: a pair of rolling members spaced
apart from each other along a loaf bread conveying path; an endless
revolving member wound around said pair of rolling members and laid along
said conveying path; a first flight mounted to said endless revolving
member to urge said loaf bread along said conveying path and carry said
loaf bread to a predetermined position; and a second flight mounted to
said endless revolving member upstream of said first flight along said
conveying path to urge said loaf bread so as to align said loaf bread
with said predetermined position.

1. A bread conveying apparatus, comprising: a pair of rolling members
spaced apart from each other along a loaf bread conveying path; an
endless revolving member wound around said pair of rolling members and
laid along said conveying path; a first flight mounted to said endless
revolving member to urge said loaf bread along said conveying path and
carry said loaf bread to a predetermined position; and a second flight
mounted to said endless revolving member upstream of said first flight
along said conveying path to urge said loaf bread so as to align said
loaf bread with said predetermined position.

2. A bread conveying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one of or
both of said first flight and said second flight have a curved contact
portion to be in contact with said loaf bread.

3. A bread conveying apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said contact
portion of the one of or both of said first flight and/or said second
flight is rotatable.

4. A bread packaging system, comprising: the bread conveying apparatus
according to claim 1; and a loaf bread packaging apparatus including a
scoop, the scoop receiving said loaf bread placed by said bread conveying
apparatus and serving to package said loaf bread, wherein said
predetermined position is located on said base portion.

5. A bread packaging system, comprising: the bread conveying apparatus
according to claim 2; and a loaf bread packaging apparatus including a
scoop, the scoop receiving said loaf bread placed by said bread conveying
apparatus and serving to package said loaf bread, wherein said
predetermined position is located on said base portion.

6. A bread packaging system, comprising: the bread conveying apparatus
according to claim 3; and a loaf bread packaging apparatus including a
scoop, the scoop receiving said loaf bread placed by said bread conveying
apparatus and serving to package said loaf bread, wherein said
predetermined position is located on said base portion.

7. A bread packaging system according to claim 4, wherein said scoop
includes: a base portion on which said loaf bread is placed; an upstream
flange protruding upward from an upstream end of said base portion when
viewed across said conveying path; and a downstream flange protruding
upward from a downstream end of said base portion when viewed across said
conveying path, and wherein said upstream flange and said downstream
flange extend so as to be spaced apart from each other with increasing
distance from said base portion.

8. A bread packaging system according to claim 5, wherein said scoop
includes: a base portion on which said loaf bread is placed; an upstream
flange protruding upward from an upstream end of said base portion when
viewed across said conveying path; and a downstream flange protruding
upward from a downstream end of said base portion when viewed across said
conveying path, and wherein said upstream flange and said downstream
flange extend so as to be spaced apart from each other with increasing
distance from said base portion.

9. A bread packaging system according to claim 6, wherein said scoop
includes: a base portion on which said loaf bread is placed; an upstream
flange protruding upward from an upstream end of said base portion when
viewed across said conveying path; and a downstream flange protruding
upward from a downstream end of said base portion when viewed across said
conveying path, and wherein said upstream flange and said downstream
flange extend so as to be spaced apart from each other with increasing
distance from said base portion.

10. A bread packaging system according to claim 4, wherein said
predetermined position is horizontal.

11. A bread packaging system according to claim 5, wherein said
predetermined position is horizontal.

12. A bread packaging system according to claim 6, wherein said
predetermined position is horizontal.

13. A bread packaging system according to claim 7, wherein said
predetermined position is horizontal.

14. A bread packaging system according to claim 8, wherein said
predetermined position is horizontal.

15. A bread packaging system according to claim 9, wherein said
predetermined position is horizontal.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a bread conveying apparatus for
conveying loaf breads and to a bread packaging system which includes the
bread conveying apparatus and packages loaf breads. In particular, the
invention relates to a bread conveying apparatus which can place a loaf
bread at a predetermined position and a bread packaging system that
includes the bread conveying apparatus.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] Bread packaging systems have been employed for packing loaf breads,
elongated in one direction (for example, by a 3-loaf length), into
packaging materials such as polyethylene bags. For example, such a
conventional bread packaging system was disclosed in Japanese Examined
Patent Publication No. Sho. 44-1594 (JP1969-1594B). This conventional
bread packaging system allows a loaf bread to be conveyed on an in-feed
conveyor into a scoop and then received by the reciprocating motion of
the scoop in a packaging material made of polyethylene. The loaf bread
received in the bag is dropped from the scoop onto a discharge conveyor.
Furthermore, the packaged loaf bread is conveyed on the discharge
conveyor to the next step (for example, the step for sealing the bag).

[0005] Note that the loaf bread packaging scoop moves forward across the
loaf bread conveying path and holds a packaging material. Then, the scoop
holding the packaging material moves now backward across the conveying
path, so that the loaf bread is received in the packaging material. The
packaged loaf bread is dropped onto the conveying path. In this manner,
the conventional bread packaging system allows the scoop to move back and
forth for wrapping loaf breads.

[0006] The scoop includes a lower scoop for holding loaf breads. The lower
scoop includes a flat base portion on which a loaf bread is placed, a
downstream flange continuing to the downstream end of the base portion to
extend upward, and an upstream flange continuing to the upstream end of
the base portion to extend upward. Furthermore, when viewed across the
conveying path, the length of the upstream flange is less than that of
the downstream flange. When viewed across the conveying direction, the
downstream side of the base portion of the lower scoop is tilted
downward.

[0007] The conventional bread conveying apparatus and bread packaging
system could not easily place the loaf bread precisely at a predetermined
position of the member in the next step or the destination of conveyance
by the bread conveying apparatus (the lower scoop of the loaf bread
packaging apparatus in the case of the bread packaging system). This is
because when the loaf bread is dropped, its own elasticity may cause the
loaf bread to be bounced up and thereby dislocated from the predetermined
position. As a result, the loaf bread located off the predetermined
position may possibly be treated improperly in the subsequent step. It
was therefore difficult to further improve the throughput of the bread
conveying apparatus and the bread packaging system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention was developed in view of the problems
mentioned above. It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a
simply structured bread conveying apparatus which can precisely place the
loaf bread at a predetermined position of the destination of the loaf
bread conveyed. It is another object of the invention to provide a bread
packaging system which ensures that the bread conveying apparatus places
a loaf bread at a predetermined position of the scoop of a loaf bread
packaging apparatus.

[0009] To resolve the above problem and to attain the object, a bread
conveying apparatus according to one aspect of the invention comprises: a
pair of rolling members spaced apart from each other along a loaf bread
conveying path; an endless revolving member wound around said pair of
rolling members and laid along said conveying path; a first flight
mounted to said endless revolving member to urge said loaf bread along
said conveying path and carry said loaf bread to a predetermined
position; and a second flight mounted to said endless revolving member
upstream of said first flight along said conveying path to urge said loaf
bread so as to align said loaf bread with said predetermined position.

[0010] Further, to resolve the above problem and to attain the object, a
bread packaging system according to other aspect of the invention
comprises: the bread conveying apparatus according to claim 1; and a loaf
bread packaging apparatus including a scoop, the scoop receiving said
loaf bread placed by said bread conveying apparatus and serving to
package said loaf bread, wherein said predetermined position is located
on said base portion.

[0011] A bread conveying apparatus according to another aspect of the
present invention has a simple structure which enables a loaf bread to be
conveyed to a next step without causing the loaf bread to be deformed,
scratched, or partially torn off. The bread conveying apparatus includes:
a pair of rolling members spaced apart from each other along a conveying
path on which a loaf bread is carried; an endless revolving member wound
around said pair of rolling members and laid along said transport path;
and a flight mounted to said endless revolving member to urge said loaf
bread along said conveying path and carry said loaf bread to a
predetermined position. Said flight has a contact portion to be in
contact with said loaf bread, and said contact portion is curved.

[0012] The bread conveying apparatus and bread packaging system according
to the present invention have a simple structure with a first flight and
a second flight, which enables the second flight to align a loaf bread
with a predetermined position even when the loaf bread carried on the
first flight is dislocated from the predetermined position. Therefore,
this configuration can ensure that the loaf bread is conveyed to the
predetermined position.

[0013] Further features of the present invention will become apparent from
the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the
attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view illustrating the main components of
a loaf bread packaging system according to a first embodiment;

[0020] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be
described in detail in accordance with the accompanying drawings.

[0021] Now, referring to the accompanying drawings, a description will be
made to a loaf bread conveying apparatus 105 and a loaf bread packaging
system 101 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Note that
the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Also note that
as used herein, the term "downstream" refers to the direction in which a
loaf bread is conveyed and the term "upstream" is the direction opposite
thereto. The term "right (or left)" is defined as the rightward (or
leftward) direction when viewed in the direction in which a loaf bread is
conveyed (toward the downstream side).

First Embodiment

[0022] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view illustrating the main components of
a loaf bread packaging system according to a first embodiment; FIG. 2 is
a side view mainly illustrating a loaf bread conveying apparatus shown in
FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a plan view mainly illustrating the loaf bread
conveying apparatus of FIG. 1; and FIG. 4 is a partially cross-sectional
view taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 3. In FIG. 3, to clearly illustrate
each component, the loaf bread conveying apparatus 105 and the loaf bread
packaging apparatus 103 are shown with solid lines, while a discharge
conveyor 1 is illustrated with a chain double-dashed line.

[0023] The loaf bread conveying apparatus, that is, the in-feed conveyor
105 mainly includes: a pair of rolling members arranged, one on the
upstream side of a conveying path P along which a loaf bread B1 is
carried and the other on the downstream side, i.e., an in-feed upstream
end sprocket wheel 113 and a downstream end sprocket wheel 115; an
endless revolving member, or an in-feed endless chain 118, which is wound
around the in-feed upstream end sprocket wheel 113 and the downstream end
sprocket wheel 115 and laid along the conveying path P; and a first
in-feed flight 119 and a second in-feed flight 141, the first in-feed
flight 119 serving as a first flight mounted to the in-feed endless chain
118 to urge the loaf bread Bi along the conveying path P, while the
second in-feed flight 141 acts as a second flight located upstream of the
first in-feed flight 119 to place the loaf bread B1 at a predetermined
position.

[0024] The in-feed upstream end sprocket wheel 113 and the in-feed
downstream end sprocket wheel 115 are rotatably secured to an in-feed
main body 121 that extends along the conveying path P. Note that the
aforementioned predetermined position in the first embodiment refers to a
horizontal plane 154 on a base portion 151a of a lower scoop 151.

[0025] Furthermore, the conveying path P along which the loaf bread B1 is
carried on the in-feed conveyor 105 includes an in-feed plate 123 which
is a rectangular plate member when viewed from above (see FIG. 3).
Accordingly, the in-feed plate 123 constitutes the upper surface of the
in-feed main body 121 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). The in-feed plate 123 is
horizontally secured to the in-feed main body 121 so that the loaf bread
B1 slides along the in-feed plate 123. Furthermore, the in-feed main body
121 is supported on the floor on which the in-feed conveyor 105 is
installed using support members (not shown). Note that in FIG. 3, the
in-feed plate 123 is denoted with chain double-dashed lines for clarity
of illustration.

[0026] The in-feed plate 123 extends at a higher level in the upper and
lower direction in FIG. 1 than a carrier plate 25 of the discharge
conveyor 1, to be described later. Thus, the in-feed plate 123 and the
carrier plate 25 differ in height from the floor on which the loaf bread
packaging system 101 is installed.

[0027] The in-feed conveyor 105 further includes an in-feed drive sprocket
wheel 111 on the outer circumference side of the in-feed endless chain
118, so that the rotational force from a drive motor 21 is transmitted to
the in-feed endless chain 118 via the in-feed drive sprocket wheel 111.
Note that it is also possible to use a servo motor as the drive motor.

[0028] The in-feed endless chain 118 is constituted by a right in-feed
endless chain member 118a and a left in-feed endless chain member 118b,
which are disposed in parallel to each other along both the ends that
oppose to each other across the shorter side of the in-feed plate 123 (in
the vertical direction in FIG. 3). Furthermore, the right in-feed endless
chain member 118a is wound around a right upstream end sprocket wheel
113a and a right downstream end sprocket wheel 115a. On the other hand,
the left in-feed endless chain member 118b is wound around a left
upstream end sprocket wheel 113b and a left downstream end sprocket wheel
115b.

[0029] The upstream end sprocket wheel 113 is constituted by the right
upstream end. sprocket wheel 113a and the left upstream end sprocket
wheel 113b which is attached to an upstream end shaft 147 that extends
along the shorter side of the in-feed plate 123. The downstream end
sprocket wheel 115 is constituted by the right downstream end sprocket
wheel 115a and the right downstream end sprocket wheel 115b which are
attached to a downstream end shaft 149 that extends along the shorter
side of the in-feed plate 123. The upstream end shaft 147 and the
downstream end shaft 149 are rotatably supported at the upstream end and
the downstream end of the conveying path P of the in-feed main body 121,
respectively. Furthermore, the downstream end shaft 149 and the upstream
end shaft 147 extend in parallel to each other.

[0030] Furthermore, the first and second in-feed flights 119 and 141
extend so as to connect between the right in-feed endless chain member
118a and the left in-feed endless chain member 118b. The first and second
in-feed flights 119 and 141 extend upwardly in the vertical direction
with respect to the in-feed plate 123 (upwardly in the upper and lower
direction in FIGS. 1 and 2), and are securely spaced apart from each
other by a predetermined distance in the circumferential direction of the
in-feed endless chain members 118a and 118b. Furthermore, a plurality of
sets of first and second in-feed flights 119 and 141 are mounted at equal
intervals in the circumferential direction of the right in-feed endless
chain member 118a and the left in-feed endless chain member 118b.

[0031] Now, a description will be made to the first and second in-feed
flights 119 and 141. Since the first and second in-feed flights 119 and
141 are the same in shape and size, only the first in-feed flight 119
will be explained. As shown in FIG. 4, the first in-feed flight 119 has
an in-feed contact portion 119a to contact with the loaf bread B1 and two
in-feed flight support portions 119b for rotatably supporting the in-feed
contact portion 119a.

[0032] The in-feed contact portion 119a is a cylindrical member which is
made of metal and has a predetermined radius of curvature (i.e., circular
in cross-section in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction
of the in-feed contact portion 119a.) The two first in-feed flight
support portions 119b are each a plate-shaped member extending
perpendicular to the in-feed plate 123. Their longitudinal lengths are
sized so that the in-feed contact portion 119a can abut against a loaf
bread B2 carried on the in-feed plate 123. The two in-feed flight support
portions 119b are secured respectively to the right in-feed endless chain
member 118a and the left in-feed endless chain member 118b by means of
pins 182.

[0033] Furthermore, the right and left in-feed endless chain members 118a
and 118b mate at the outer circumference sides of those in-feed endless
chain members with the right and left in-feed drive sprocket wheels 111a
and 111b, which constitute the in-feed drive sprocket wheel 111,
respectively, to transmit rotational force as will be described later.
Furthermore, in the first embodiment, there is also disposed a tension
adjusting sprocket wheel 145, for adjusting the tension of the in-feed
endless chain 118, between the in-feed upstream end sprocket wheel 113
and the in-feed downstream end sprocket wheel 115.

[0034] That is, between the right upstream end sprocket wheel 113a and the
right downstream end sprocket wheel 115a, there is disposed a right
tension adjusting sprocket wheel 145a for adjusting the tension of the
right in-feed endless chain member 118a. Likewise, between the left
upstream end sprocket wheel 113b and the left downstream end sprocket
wheel 115b, there is disposed a left tension adjusting sprocket wheel
145b for adjusting the tension of the left in-feed endless chain member
118b.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 1, the in-feed conveyor 105 is supplied with
rotational force by the drive motor 21 or a drive source to be disposed
in an apparatus main body 29. The drive shaft 51 that rotates via a worm
gear (not shown) by means of the drive motor 21 is provided with an
in-feed sprocket wheel 114. There is also provided an in-feed
transmission chain 120 which is wound around both the in-feed sprocket
wheel 114 and an in-feed transmission sprocket wheel 117.

[0036] The in-feed transmission sprocket wheel 117 has a rotation shaft
122 to which an in-feed transmission sprocket wheel 127 is attached
concentrically with the in-feed transmission sprocket wheel 117. There is
provided a transmission endless chain 125 which is wound around the
in-feed transmission sprocket wheel 127 and an in-feed transmission
sprocket wheel 131 (see FIG. 1). To the in-feed drive shaft 129 equipped
with the in-feed transmission sprocket wheel 131, the in-feed drive
sprocket wheels 111a and 111b are attached concentrically with the
in-feed transmission sprocket wheel 131.

[0039] Now, a description will be briefly made as to how the loaf bread
packaging apparatus 103 of the loaf bread packaging system 101 is
organized and operated. The loaf bread B1 is introduced on the in-feed
conveyor 105 into the loaf bread packaging apparatus 103. The loaf bread
packaging apparatus 103 includes a scoop for holding packaging materials
such as polyethylene bags for receiving the loaf bread B1 and a
reciprocating mechanism for reciprocating the scoop across the conveying
path P. The reciprocating mechanism built in a known structure will
neither be explained in more detail nor illustrated in the drawings.

[0040] FIGS. 1 to 3 illustrate only the lower scoop 151 that constitutes
the scoop of the loaf bread packaging apparatus 103. Note that the upper
scoop built in a known structure will neither be explained in more detail
nor illustrated in the drawings. Note that FIGS. 1 and 2 show a front
view of the lower scoop 151 of the loaf bread packaging apparatus 103.
The figures illustrate by solid lines the lower scoop 151 that has
arrived at the advanced position where its end portion 151d and the end
portion of the upper scoop (not shown) hold a packaging material. In this
state, the loaf bread B1 carried on the in-feed conveyor 105 is guided
into the lower scoop 151. Furthermore, FIG. 3 also shows a lower scoop
151 at a retreated position 152 with chain double-dashed lines.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 1, the base portion 151a of the L-shaped lower
scoop 151 in the upper and lower direction is located above a carrier
platform 25 and below the in-feed plate 123. Furthermore, as a matter of
course, the lower scoop 151 is located so as not to interfere the motion
of first and second flights 5 and 11 of the discharge conveyor 1.

[0042] When viewed across the conveying path P (in a side view of the
in-feed conveyor 105 or in the front-to-back direction of the paper on
which FIG. 1 is illustrated), the lower scoop 151 for holding the loaf
bread B1 has a base portion 151a with a horizontal plane, a downstream
flange 151b continuing to the downstream end of the base portion 151a and
extending upward, and an upstream flange 151c continuing to the upstream
end of the base portion 151a. Furthermore, the base portion 151a of the
lower scoop 151 extends horizontally, whereas the downstream flange 151b
and the upstream flange 151c extend to be spaced apart from each other
with increasing distance from the base portion 151a. Furthermore, the
tilt angle .alpha. of the downstream flange 151b with respect to the base
portion 151a is greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees.
Furthermore, the tilt angle .beta. of the upstream flange 151c relative
to the base portion 151a is greater than 0 degrees and less than 90
degrees.

[0043] Furthermore, when viewed across the conveying path P, the upstream
flange 151c is sized to be less in length than the downstream flange
151b. This ensures that the flange 151b receives the loaf bread B1
dropped from the upstream side of the scoop 151 beyond the in-feed
downstream end sprocket wheel 115 of the in-feed conveyor 105.

[0044] Furthermore, when viewed across the conveying path P, the length of
the base portion 151a is sized to be generally equal to the length b of
one side of the loaf bread B1. Accordingly, the upstream flange 151c and
the downstream flange 151b which are tilted have a function of guiding
onto the base portion 151a the loaf bread B1 that is dropped onto the
lower scoop 151.

[0045] After the loaf bread B1 is placed on the lower scoop 151, the lower
scoop 151 may retreat toward the retreated position (as shown by an
alternate long and short dashed line (reference number 152)). This causes
the loaf bread B1 to be kept on the lower scoop 151 and above the
conveying path P by a holding member (not shown). Thus, the loaf bread B1
is received in an opened packaging material held by the end portion 151d
of the lower scoop 151.

[0046] Furthermore, when the scoop completely arrives at the retreated
position 152, the packaged loaf bread B2 kept by the holding member (not
shown) above the conveying path P is dropped from the lower scoop 151
onto a carrier platform 5 of a first discharge conveyor 3. Furthermore,
in the first embodiment, the region of the base portion 151a of the lower
scoop 151 on which the loaf bread B1 and a second carrier platform 25b
are horizontal. This allows the loaf bread B2 to be kept at the same
posture between before and after it is dropped. As a result, the loaf
bread B2 can be landed on the second carrier platform 25b with stability.

[0047] [Discharge Conveyor]

[0048] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the discharge conveyor 1 is located
downstream of the loaf bread packaging apparatus 103. The discharge
conveyor 1 carries a packaged loaf bread B2 to the next step. Now, the
discharge conveyor 1 will be briefly described below.

[0049] The discharge conveyor 1 mainly includes: a first discharge
conveyor 3 disposed along the conveying path P to convey a loaf bread B2;
a first flight 5 mounted to the first discharge conveyor 3 to urge the
loaf bread B2; a second discharge conveyor 9 disposed along the conveying
path P to pass through a common region that partially overlaps the region
above the conveying path P through which the first discharge conveyor 3
passes; and a second flight 11 which is mounted to the second discharge
conveyor 9 to urge the loaf bread B2 on the common region.

[0050] That is, a second drive sprocket wheel 39 is located downstream of
an upstream end sprocket wheel 13 along the conveying path P, while a
second driven sprocket wheel 41 is located upstream of a downstream end
sprocket wheel 15 along the conveying path P. Accordingly, to avoid
interference between first and second endless chains 17 and 37, the first
endless chain 17 and the second endless chain 37 are located at different
positions across the shorter side of the conveying path P.

[0051] Furthermore, the conveying speed at which the second discharge
conveyor 9 conveys the loaf bread B2 (in the Y direction) is greater than
the conveying speed at which the first discharge conveyor 3 carries the
loaf bread B2.

[0052] Now, the drive system of the discharge conveyor 1 will be briefly
described below. As shown in FIG. 1, the rotation shaft (not shown) of
the drive motor 21 is coupled to the drive shaft 51 via a worm gear (not
shown) or the like. A first carrier sprocket wheel 53 is attached to one
end of the drive shaft 51. There is provided a first conveying drive
chain 57 that is wound around both the first carrier sprocket wheel 53
and a first driven sprocket wheel 55 which is concentrically secured to
the rotation shaft of a drive sprocket wheel 19. Accordingly, the
rotational force of the drive motor 21 is transmitted to the first drive
sprocket wheel 19 via the first carrier sprocket wheel 53, the first
conveying drive chain 57, and the first driven sprocket wheel 55.

[0053] Furthermore, a second carrier sprocket wheel 59 is attached to the
drive shaft 51 shown in FIG. 1. The second carrier sprocket wheel 59 is
coupled to a transmission mechanism 61, which is disposed generally at
the center of the apparatus main body 29, via a first transmission chain
63. Furthermore, the transmission mechanism 61 is coupled to a
transmission sprocket wheel 67 via a second transmission chain 65. A
coaxial sprocket wheel 69 is attached to the rotation shaft mounted to
the transmission sprocket wheel 67 concentrically with the transmission
sprocket wheel 67. As shown in FIG. 1, there is also provided a third
transmission chain 73 which is wound around both the coaxial sprocket
wheel 69 and a drive transmission sprocket wheel 71 which is secured to a
second drive shaft 38. Accordingly, the rotational force of the drive
motor 21 is transmitted to the second drive sprocket wheel 39 via each
component and the drive transmission sprocket wheel 71.

[0054] The transmission mechanism 61 has an input gear 83, to which
rotational force is transmitted by the first transmission chain 63 wound
around an input sprocket wheel 79 that is coaxial with the input gear 83.
The rotational force of the input gear 83 is transmitted to an output
gear 85 that is meshed with the input gear 83. The output gear 85 is
attached to a second transmission shaft 77. Accordingly, the rotational
force of the output gear 85 is transmitted to an output sprocket wheel
81. The second transmission chain 65 is wound around the output sprocket
wheel 81 and the transmission sprocket wheel 67. Accordingly, the
rotational force of the output sprocket wheel 81 is transmitted to the
transmission sprocket wheel 67 via the second transmission chain 65.

[0055] As described above, the loaf bread conveying apparatus 1 of the
first embodiment is configured such that the rotational force from a
single drive motor activates the first discharge conveyor 3 and the
second discharge conveyor 9. Furthermore, the conveying speeds of the
first discharge conveyor 3 and the second discharge conveyor 9 can be
adjusted by varying the number and the size of the components that
constitute the aforementioned drive system.

[0056] [Operation of Loaf Bread Packaging System]

[0057] The in-feed conveyor 105 conveys the loaf bread B1 having been made
in the preceding step along the conveying path P by allowing the first
in-feed flight 119 to urge the loaf bread B1. The first in-feed flight
119 travels at a constant speed, and the drive motor 21 is controlled by
a control section (not shown) to the timing at which the loaf bread B1 is
guided into the loaf bread packaging apparatus 103. As described above,
when the first in-feed flight 119 reaches the in-feed downstream end
sprocket wheel 115 and starts moving around the downstream end shaft 149,
the loaf bread B1 is dropped from the in-feed plate 123 onto the lower
scoop 151.

[0058] When the loaf bread B1 is dropped, the loaf bread B1 may not land
at a predetermined position on the lower scoop 151. This is because a
difference in height between the lower scoop 151 and the in-feed plate
123 and the elasticity the loaf bread B1 itself has can cause the loaf
bread B1 to bounce off the lower scoop 151 when being dropped. For
example, suppose that the loaf bread B1 is partially stranded on the
upstream flange 151c. In this case, the second in-feed flight 141
following the first in-feed flight 119 moves around the downstream end
shaft 149, thereby causing the in-feed contact portion of the second
in-feed flight 141 (see 119a of FIG. 4) to urge the loaf bread B1 onto
the base 151a. Accordingly, this arrangement with two flights is capable
of placing the loaf bread B1 at a predetermined position on the lower
scoop 151.

[0059] As such, the first in-feed flight 119 functions to drop the loaf
bread B1 from the in-feed plate 123 to the lower scoop 151, while the
second in-feed flight 141 serves to align the loaf bread B1 to position
the loaf bread B1 at a predetermined position. The first flight 119 and
the second flight 141 can be designed to be different from each other in
size and shape.

[0060] Furthermore, the in-feed contact portion 119a (and the contact
portion of the second in-feed flight) is circular in longitudinal
cross-section and rotatable. Accordingly, when the first and second
in-feed flights 119 and 141 leave the loaf bread Bi, i.e., as the in-feed
contact portion 119a rotates around the downstream end shaft 149 of the
in-feed downstream end sprocket wheel 115, the in-feed contact portion
119a is smoothly separated from the loaf bread B1. The in-feed contact
portion 119a constructed in this manner makes it possible to prevent the
loaf bread B1 from being deformed, scratched, or partially torn off.

[0061] The loaf bread B1 placed on the lower scoop 151 proceeds to the
packaging step. When the lower scoop 151 for holding a packaging material
goes back to the retreated position 152, the loaf bread B1 placed on the
base 151a is received in a packaging material and dropped onto the
discharge conveyor 1.

[0062] It is the second flight 11 which first contacts with the loaf bread
B2 after having been dropped. In the common region of the conveying path
P, the second flight 11 carries the loaf bread B2. The loaf bread B2 is
moved at the conveying speed of the second endless chain 37 to the most
downstream position of the common region, that is, to a point at which
the second flight 11 moves around the second drive sprocket wheel 39 and
the contact portion of the second flight leaves the loaf bread B2.

[0063] The loaf bread B2 having been dropped onto the second carrier
platform 25b is relocated by the second flight 11 to a place where the
reciprocating motion of the scoop is not interfered, thereby allowing for
starting the next step of packaging the loaf bread B1. The loaf bread B2
conveyed by the second flight 11 is allowed to slide by the first flight
5 along the first carrier platform 25a and thus be conveyed toward the
downstream end sprocket wheel 15 along the conveying path P.

Second Embodiment

[0064] Now, a description will be made to a loaf bread conveying apparatus
205 and a loaf bread packaging system 201 according to a second
embodiment. The loaf bread conveying apparatus 205 and the loaf bread
packaging system 201 according to the second embodiment include only a
first in-feed flight and are different, only in that point, from the loaf
bread conveying apparatus 105 and the loaf bread packaging system 101
according to the first embodiment which have the first in-feed flight and
the second in-feed flight.

[0065] The loaf bread conveying apparatus 205 and the loaf bread packaging
system 201 aim to solve the problems that a loaf bread may be deformed,
scratched, or partially torn off by a projected portion of the flights
depending on the shape and material of the loaf bread. These problems
arise when a conventional bread transport apparatus transfers a loaf
bread to the next step (to the lower scoop of the loaf bread packaging
apparatus in the case of the bread packaging system).

[0066] Now, referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the loaf bread packaging system
201 according to the second embodiment will be described mainly in
relation to the different points from the first embodiment. Note that the
components and arrangements, which are not mentioned in the descriptions
below, as well as the functions, operations, and effects that are
implemented by those components and arrangements are the same as those of
the loaf bread packaging system 101 according to the first embodiment.

[0067] FIG. 5 is a schematic side view illustrating the main components of
the loaf bread packaging system 201 according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a plan view mainly illustrating the loaf bread conveying
apparatus 205 of FIG. 5. Note that for clarity of illustration, FIG. 6
shows the loaf bread conveying apparatus 205 and the loaf bread packaging
apparatus 103 with solid lines and the discharge conveyor 1 by a chain
double-dashed line.

[0068] The loaf bread conveying apparatus, that is, the in-feed conveyor
205 mainly includes: a pair of rolling members disposed upstream and
downstream of the conveying path P along which the loaf bread B1 is
carried, i.e., the in-feed upstream end sprocket wheel 113 and the
downstream end sprocket wheel 115; an endless revolving member, or an
in-feed endless chain 118, which is wound around the in-feed upstream end
sprocket wheel 113 and the downstream end sprocket wheel 115 and laid
along the conveying path P; and a flight, or a first in-feed flight 119,
which is mounted to the in-feed endless chain 118 to urge the loaf bread
B1 along the conveying path P.

[0069] The in-feed upstream end sprocket wheel 113 and the in-feed
downstream end sprocket wheel 115 are rotatably secured to an in-feed
conveying base 121 that extends along the conveying path P. Note that the
aforementioned predetermined position in the second embodiment refers to
a horizontal plane 154 on the base portion 151a of the lower scoop 151.

[0070] Furthermore, the conveying path P along which the loaf bread B1 is
carried on the in-feed conveyor 205 includes the in-feed plate 123 which
is a rectangular plate member when viewed from above (see FIG. 6).
Accordingly, the in-feed plate 123 constitutes the upper surface of the
in-feed main body 121 (see FIG. 5). The in-feed plate 123 is horizontally
secured to the in-feed main body 121 so that the loaf bread B1 slides
along the in-feed plate 123. Note that for clarity of illustration, FIG.
6 illustrates the in-feed plate 123 with a chain double-dashed line.

[0071] A plurality of first in-feed flights 119 are attached at equal
intervals in the circumferential direction of the right in-feed endless
chain member 118a and the left in-feed endless chain member 118b. The
first in-feed flight 119 is shaped as described in relation to FIG. 4.

[0072] As with the first embodiment, the in-feed conveyor 205 is supplied
with rotational force by the drive motor 21 or a drive source to be
disposed in the apparatus main body 29 (see FIG. 3). Rotating the in-feed
drive sprocket wheels 111a and 111b by the rotational force of the drive
motor 21 causes the in-feed endless chain 118 to rotate in the direction
indicated by an arrow 133. Accordingly, the loaf bread B1 supplied from
the preceding step is carried on the in-feed plate 123 by the first
in-feed flight 119 from the in-feed upstream end sprocket wheel 113 to
the in-feed downstream end sprocket wheel 115 along the conveying path P.

[0073] [Operation of Loaf Bread Packaging System]

[0074] The in-feed conveyor 205 conveys the loaf bread B1 having been made
in the preceding step along the conveying path P by allowing the first
in-feed flight 119 to urge the loaf bread B1. The first in-feed flight
119 travels at a constant speed, and the drive motor 21 is controlled by
a control section (not shown) to the timing at which the loaf bread B1 is
guided into the loaf bread packaging apparatus 103. As described above,
when the first in-feed flight 119 reaches the in-feed downstream end
sprocket wheel 115 and starts moving around the downstream end shaft 149,
the loaf bread B1 is dropped from the in-feed plate 123 onto the lower
scoop 151.

[0075] The in-feed contact portion 119a is circular in cross-section and
rotatable. Accordingly, when the first in-feed flight 119 leaves the loaf
bread B1, i.e., as the in-feed contact portion 119a rotates around the
downstream end shaft 149 of the in-feed downstream end sprocket wheel
115, the in-feed contact portion 119a is smoothly separated from the loaf
bread B1. The in-feed contact portion 119a constructed in this manner
prevents the loaf bread from being caught by the first flight when the
flight leaves the loaf bread. It is thus possible to carry the loaf bread
to the next step (or the scoop) without causing the loaf bread to be
scratched or partially torn off.

[0076] The bread conveying apparatus of the present invention can be used
not only in the bread packaging system but also in various steps such as
the step of sealing a packaging material or the step of slicing a loaf
bread.

[0077] Note that the in-feed contact portion of the first and second
in-feed flights is not limited to a cylindrical shape. The in-feed
contact portion to contact with the loaf bread can also have a convex
curved shape with a predetermined radius of curvature. That is, any shape
is acceptable so long as it will not cause the loaf bread to be deformed,
scratched, or partially torn off when the in-feed contact portion leaves
the loaf bread while rotating around the downstream end shaft.
Furthermore, the in-feed endless chain and the in-feed contact portion
can be formed of various types of materials such as steel, carbon steel,
stainless steel, or synthetic resin.

[0078] The loaf bread conveying apparatus of the first embodiment includes
the first in-feed flight and the second in-feed flight, while the loaf
bread conveying apparatus of the second embodiment includes the first
in-feed flight. However, the present invention is not limited to these
configurations. The number of in-feed flights and their sizes can be
varied as appropriate, and the interval between in-feed flights can be
changed depending on the size of the object to be conveyed or the
position of placement of the object at the destination of conveyance.
Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the first in-feed flight and the
second in-feed flight are separated from each other. However, the first
and second in-feed flights can be formed from a single member, with a
plurality of in-feed contact portions provided to be in contact with a
loaf bread. Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments, sprocket
wheels and chains are used to transmit rotational force; however, the
pulley and belt can also be used to transmit rotational force.

[0079] Note that the loaf bread packaging apparatuses of the first and
second embodiments are designed to package the loaf bread in polyethylene
bags. However, the present invention is not limited to this design. The
packaging material is not limited to bags made of plastics such as
polypropylene, polyester, or nylon, but may also be formed of a material
such as paper, metal, or cloth. Furthermore, the number of first and
second flights 5 and 11 can be arbitrarily changed.

[0080] Furthermore, although the first and second embodiments have been
described with reference to rectangular parallelepiped loaf breads, the
present invention is not limited to rectangular loaf breads but may also
be applicable to a bread conveying apparatus for conveying loaf breads of
various sizes and shapes and to a loaf bread cutting apparatus for
cutting those loaf breads.

[0081] While the present invention has been described with reference to
exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not
limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the
following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to
encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.

[0082] This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application
No. 2010-211466, filed Sep. 21, 2010, which is hereby incorporated by
reference herein in its entirety.